The McIntosh MA9500 is an integrated 2-channel amplifier for high-quality stereo audio systems.

Power for various loudspeakers

The output power is 300 watts per channel. The MA9500 is designed for 2, 4 and 8 Ohm loudspeakers and offers separate loudspeaker connections for them. The patented Solid Cinch™ Speaker Binding Posts are gold-plated and are designed to securely fix speaker cables so that the connection does not accidentally loosen.

Connectivity for analog and digital sources

The MA9500 offers a total of 17 inputs: 10 analog and 7 digital. The analog equipment includes 2 balanced inputs, 6 unbalanced inputs, as well as one phono input each for Moving Coil and Moving Magnet. Both phono inputs have an adjustable trim. Digitally, 2 coaxial inputs, 2 optical inputs, 1 USB input, 1 MCT input and 1 HDMI ARC input are available.

DA2 Digital Audio Module

The integrated DA2 Digital Audio Module works with a Quad Balanced Digital-to-Analog Converter. Via USB, PCM signals up to 32 bit / 384 kHz as well as DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512, DXD352.8 kHz and DXD384 kHz are possible. The MCT input is intended for McIntosh SACD/CD transports and supports CD and SACD signals.

TV sound via HDMI ARC

A compatible TV with HDMI ARC can be connected to the MA9500. The HDMI ARC input is exclusively for audio signals from a compatible TV. It does not transmit video to or from the TV and does not play audio from non-TV sources. Dolby® and DTS® multi-channel formats are supported and converted for 2-channel playback. When CEC communication is enabled, the included MA9500 remote control can control TV power and TV volume.

Phono, headphones and tone control

Separate phono inputs for Moving Coil and Moving Magnet are available for record players, each with a separate ground connection. The High Drive Headphone Amplifier features Headphone Crossfeed Director HXD®.

Overview of technologies

The McIntosh MA9500 uses Autoformer™, Power Guard®, Sentry Monitor™, McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™, Solid Cinch™ Speaker Binding Posts, Home Theater PassThru, High Drive Headphone Amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director HXD®, Power Control, DA2 Digital Audio Module, Quad Balanced DAC, HDMI ARC, USB Audio, MCT, Moving Coil Phono, Moving Magnet Phono and 8-band Equalizer. These technologies form the technical basis for amplification, signal processing, source selection, system integration and protection functions.

Protection functions for amplifier and loudspeakers

Power Guard® monitors input and output signals and can dynamically adjust levels to prevent clipping and harsh distortion. Sentry Monitor™ is a short-circuit protection technology without a fuse that deactivates the output stage before an unsafe current range is reached and automatically resets itself when normal operating conditions return.

Operation and setup

Operation is via input selection, volume control, display, front buttons and remote control. Inputs can be renamed or deactivated. For digital sources, gain values can be adjusted to compensate for volume differences between sources. The equalizer can be activated for each input, and the settings are saved for each input.

Integration into stereo and home theater systems

Home Theater PassThru enables integration into a home theater system. In addition, a balanced and an unbalanced output are available to send an audio signal to another power amplifier. Power Control can transmit switch-on and switch-off signals to connected McIntosh components.

Placement and ventilation

The MA9500 can stand on a table or shelf on its four feet or be built into furniture or a cabinet. For installation, sufficient ventilation distances are recommended: at least 15.2 cm above, 5.1 cm below and 5.1 cm on each side. A depth of 5.1 cm should be planned behind the front panel; 3.7 cm in front of the mounting plate for the control knobs. The amplifier should not be installed directly above a heat-generating component.

Design and craftsmanship

The housing follows the classic McIntosh design with a black glass front, LED lighting, two blue-illuminated wattmeters, rotary controls, illuminated logo, aluminum end caps with integrated handles and a polished stainless steel chassis. The McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™ are made of materials with high thermal conductivity and good heat dissipation properties.

Awards and Roon Tested

The MA9500 is certified as a Roon Tested device. In addition, the McIntosh MA9500 has been awarded the Hi-Fi News Outstanding Product Award and the Haute Fidélité Reference Award.

Specifications

General

• Product Type: Integrated 2-Channel Amplifier
• Design: Solid State
• Channels: 2
• Dimensions W × H × D: 44.5 × 24.0 × 50.2 cm
• Weight: 45.8 kg
• Shipping Weight: 60.8 kg
• Frequency Response: +0 / -0.5 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Frequency Response: +0 / -3 dB from 10 Hz to 100 kHz
• Output Type: Autoformer™
• Output Indicators: yes
• Dual Layer Chassis: yes
• Chassis Finish: polished stainless steel and black painted steel
• McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™: yes

Audio

• FTC Power Output Rating: 300 W
• Output Power per Channel: 300 W into 2, 4, or 8 Ohms
• Rated Power Band: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.005 %
• Dynamic Headroom: 2.8 dB
• Damping Factor: >40
• Sensitivity Phono Moving Coil: 0.30 mV
• Sensitivity Phono Moving Magnet: 3.0 mV
• Sensitivity High Level Balanced / Unbalanced: 0.6 V / 0.3 V
• Sensitivity Power Amp Input: 1.7 V
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio Moving Coil: 82 dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio Moving Magnet: 84 dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio High Level: 98 dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio Power Amp Input: 114 dB
• Input Impedance Balanced / Unbalanced: 10 K / 22 K
• Maximum Output Unbalanced: 8 V
• Maximum Output Balanced: 16 V
• Headphone Impedance: 100 to 600 Ohms
• Headphone Output: 1/4" High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director HXD®

Analog Connections

• Balanced Inputs: 2
• Unbalanced Inputs: 6
• Phono Input Moving Coil: 1, adjustable loading
• Phono Input Moving Magnet: 1, adjustable loading
• Balanced Variable Output: 1
• Unbalanced Fixed Output: 1
• Unbalanced Variable Output: 1
• Subwoofer Outputs: 0
• AM/FM Tuner Option: no
• Unbalanced Analog Connectors: Premium, Gold-Plated Solid Brass
• Speaker Connectors: Patented Solid Cinch™ Speaker Binding Posts

Digital Connections

• Upgradable Digital Audio Module: yes, DA2
• Digital Coaxial Inputs: 2
• Digital Optical Inputs: 2
• Digital MCT Input: 1
• Digital USB Input: 1
• HDMI-ARC Input: 1
• Service Port: 1
• Digital Input Signal Format: Coaxial and Optical SPDIF PCM; MCT and USB PCM, DSD
• DAC Type: 8-channel, 32-bit / 384 kHz PCM/DSD, Quad Balanced
• Coaxial Sample Rate: 24-bit / 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz
• Optical Sample Rate: 24-bit / 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz
• MCT Sample Rate: 16-bit / 44.1 kHz CD; DSD64 SACD
• USB Sample Rate: 32-bit / 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz PCM; DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512, DXD352.8 kHz, DXD384 kHz
• HDMI: PCM 24-bit, 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz; DTS; Dolby Digital

Control and Operation

• Tone Control: 8-band
• Tone Bypass and Input Assign: yes
• RS232 Control Inputs: yes
• Power Control Outputs: 1 Main, 2 Trigger
• Rear Panel Data Ports: 4
• Rear Panel IR Sensor Inputs: yes
• Input Level Match: yes
• Home Theater PassThru: yes
• Power Control and Trigger Output: 12 VDC, 25 mA
• Auto-Off: activatable after approximately 30 minutes of inactivity

Power Supply

• Power Consumption Standby: <0.25 W
• Power Requirement in Delivered Product Data: 120 V, 50/60 Hz, 6.6 A
• Other Factory AC Configurations: 100 V 50/60 Hz 8.0 A; 110 V 50/60 Hz 6.6 A; 120 V 50/60 Hz 6.6 A; 127 V 50/60 Hz 6.6 A; 220 V 50/60 Hz 3.6 A; 230 V 50/60 Hz 3.3 A; 240 V 50/60 Hz 3.3 A

Setup

• Placement: on a table or shelf on four feet possible
• Cabinet Installation: possible
• Minimum Clearance Above: 15.2 cm
• Minimum Clearance Below: 5.1 cm
• Minimum Clearance Sides: 5.1 cm per side
• Depth Behind Front Panel: 5.1 cm
• Clearance in Front of Mounting Plate for Knobs: 3.7 cm

Software / USB

• Apple Computer: OS-10.6.8 or newer, no additional driver required
• Windows Computer: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or newer, McIntosh USB Audio Windows Driver required

Scope of Delivery

• McIntosh MA9500
• Remote Control
• Power Cable
• Special Wrench
• Documents

• Broschüre
• Anleitung